Microstructure and mechanical properties as a function of rotation speed in underwater friction stir welded aluminum alloy joints

A 2219-T6 aluminum alloy was underwater friction stir welded at a fixed welding speed and various rotation speeds in order to illuminate the influence of rotation speed on the performance of underwater joints. With increasing rotation speed, the hardness of the stir zone (SZ) gradually increases due to the increase in dislocation density. The tensile strength first increases from 600 to 800 rpm and then reaches a plateau in a wide rotation speed range. After that a remarkable decrease in tensile strength occurs owing to the formation of void defect. The joint welded at lower rotation speed tends to be fractured in the SZ. At higher rotation speeds, the hardness increase in the SZ makes the fracture locations of defect-free joints move to the thermal-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) or heat affected zone (HAZ).